OEDER OP OARNIVOEA. 355 



" After passing througli a dense wood for a quarter of an 

 hour, we came to the remains of the Bull. The thighs and 

 breast had been devoured. I then sent Lakdar for a cake and 

 a jar of water, after receiving which I installed myself at the 

 foot of an olive tree about three paces from the carcass. The 

 wood, in the middle of which I found myself, was so dense, that 

 it was impossible to see for more than eighteen or twenty feet 

 around. I had taken the precaution to assure myself, by the 

 spoor, of the direction the Lion had taken when retiring, so as 

 to face that point. Afterwards I relieved myself of my turban, 

 the better to hear the slightest noise. At sunset all the animal 

 life in my vicinity was on the move, so that I was often falsely 

 alarmed, at one time by a Lynx, at another by a Jackal, and 

 sometimes by creatures of less importance. For each alarm 

 I experienced as many fancies ; and I may truly say that, in 

 the space of half an hour, I felt as many as would satisfy the 

 most fastidious adventure-hunter. Towards eight o'clock in the 

 evening, at the moment when the new moon half lighted up 

 the edges of the black scud overhead, I heard a branch snap. 

 This time there could be no mistake ; only the weight of a large 

 animal could make such a noise. Shortly after, a hollow, sup- 

 pressed roar re-echoed through the forest. Then I could dis- 

 tinguish a slow heavy tread. With my rifle to my shoulder, 

 elbow on knee, and finger on trigger, I waited the moment when 

 his head would appear. But I could not perceive the foe imtil 

 he had reached the Bull, on which he began to ply his enormous 

 tongue. I aimed at his forehead, and fired. The Lion fell 

 roaring, then sprang up on his hind legs, as a Horse when 

 rearing. I had also risen, and taking a step to the front fired a 

 second shot at close quarters. This brought him head over heels, 

 as if struck by a thunderbolt. I then withdrew in order to reload; 

 which having done, and seeing that the animal still moved, I 

 advanced on him, dagger in hand. Certain of the spot where 

 his heart was situated, I raised my hand and struck. But at the 

 same moment the fore-arm of the tawny savage made a backward 

 movement, and the blade of my dagger broke in his side. My 

 presence had renewed his vitality. He raised his enormous head. 

 I retired two paces, and administered a final shot. My first bullet 

 entered about an inch above the left eye, and came out behind the 



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